The Vintage Wedding Dress Company

The Vintage Wedding Dress Company was created by UK stylist Charlie Brear for brides who would love to wear something completely original but don't have the time, the energy or the faintest idea where to start. The Vintage Wedding Dress Company has pieces from the Victorian era, 1920's right through to the early 70's all carefully restored to their formal glory.

Edwardian tea dress and Victorian veil

1960's flower lace column dress

1930's lace dress with hand washed silk sash

1960's Ivory and silk lace dress

1940's silk column dress, 1930's lace embroidered cape, hand washed silk sash and 1940's hair garland .

The Rachel Zoe Project

If you haven't been watching The Rachel Zoe Project (Tuesdays on Arena), start NOW!! This is one of my favourite scenes (so far- mind you- we are on week 2 in Australia!!). Decades is an A-mazing vintage store in LA, watch Rachel Omigod! Shut it down! I die! as she adds to her Birkin Collection...

Wordle

I know Wordle has been mentioned on a few blogs, I saw it on Style Me Pretty and have had so much fun playing on it I wanted to share it too.
What is Wordle? Well, Wordle is a toy for generating word clouds in random fonts, colours and orders. Just like this...
I like the idea of printing and framing a word-cloud, or a word that have meaning to you to create a cute display. Great for invitations, save the dates or table numbers.

Oscar De La Renta

is not available for purchase in Australia (to my knowledge) however these dresses from the Spring 2009 Collection are just too beautiful not to mention.

The Rules: Bridal

(click to read)

From Sunday Life magazine 7th November 2008

Gorgeous...

Image from W.Scott Chester photography: Ashley & Eric's wedding

Tricky question- money as a gift?

It's a delicate topic, but is becoming more popular for couples to have a wishing well instead of a registry. Perhaps a sign of the times given that so many couples live together before getting married?

I have been to several weddings where a little note was enclosed with the invitation advising that the couple would appreciate a gift of money for contribution to the purchase of a home or renovations. There are lots of cute little rhymes to explain the situation and make it light and a wishing well is a nice way of doing it.

A quick google search reveals hundreds of forums asking the question- is it rude? And the answers are quite divided!

According to Peggy Post, famous etiquette author Emily Post's great-granddaughter-in-law and spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute, "for many couples, money makes an ideal gift. And there are terrific options in monetary gifting today; guests should consider alternatives to cash and personal checks such as universal gift certificates..."
Funny it is almost a taboo topic when in some cultures it is traditional to gift money. As an alternative, or even a compromise is the Honeymoon fund. Some travel agencies offer this is an additional service whilst many gift registries such as The Wedding List Company offer American Express honeymoon vouchers which can be added to the registry along with more traditional gifts.

Quote of the week

"To love someone deeply gives you strength.
Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage"

Lao Tzu

For the "I wish I'd thought of this" files

My Friends Photos is the modern version of disposable cameras on each table for guests to capture the wedding reception from their experience.

My Friends Photos rents Canon digital cameras for guests to take pics of the night. My Friends Photos do all the hard work for you; they can post the cameras to anywhere in Australia and even include a pre-paid return post-bag for the cameras to be returned. (A good idea is to get the MC to ask for the cameras to be returned to him at the end of the night)
My Friends Photos then publish the best photos taken on a password-protected online gallery for you and your friends to see.

Even better is the Memory Card Copier which is also available for hire (with the cameras or seperately.) As so many people bring their own digital cameras along this is such an easy way to get a copy of everyone's pics. Just insert the memory card, hit copy and it's done!

My Friends Photos estimate that a 100 person wedding generates over 700 photos so you will have plenty more memories of your day.

This idea appeals to me personally as I am so conscious that the night will fly by without me spending time with each dear friend. This way they are still such a big part of my night and I can see the fun they had celebrating with us!

At a recent charity ball

there were some wonderful items being auctioned to raise money for the cause.
One of the auction pieces was an artwork by Gold Coast artist Abbey McCulloch and I fell in love! As I was running around that night I wasn't able to keep up with the auction and sadly missed out.
These are some of Abbey's beautiful pieces.

Bellagio

Toulousa

Blue Roamer
I Don't Want To Think


Sometimes I Like Listening


Submarine

“People ask me why I only paint women. It’s the flux. It’s the nonsense and the folly.
I have a persistent desire to document this, and if it seems a bit ‘mammoths and bison’ on a cave wall, it probably is. I am trying to freeze a moment in time and make it mine.”

Abbey McCulloch, December 2006

I didn't leave the ball empty handed though... through a haze of champagne I bid, and won this-
Yes- in the 'Violette'!! Which made me think of this piece which is appropriately named End of the Night
Why oh why didn't I pay more attention to the art?? At least the $$$ went to a great charity!

Complement your gown

or make a statement with these beautiful jewels.
Sadly with the Aussie dollar being a little sick some of these are major investment pieces!

Bijoux Heart Vintage Floral Necklace
A$2,261


Isharya Orbit bib necklace
A$875

Alexander McQueeen Maharaja necklace
(sorry ladies but Net-a-Porter has sold out on accounts of it being a steal at only A$4,428) :)


Bijoux Heart Swarovski crystal asymmetric necklace
A$1,168

Vera Wang Fall 2009

Just a couple of my favourites from the Fall shows.The detail of each dress is just beautiful. See more from the Vera Wang Fall 2009 collection here.


Vera Wang is available in Australia exclusively at Helen Rodrigues.

Congratulations Barack!

In honour of the new American President-elect, Barack Obama, here is an image from Barack's wedding to wife Michelle.

The ceremony was performed on October 3, 1992 by Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois.

Interestingly his name, Barack means "one who is blessed" in Swahili... here's hoping!

Fascinating veils

The Melbourne Cup has got me thinking about hats and fascinators, not just what I will be wearing today myself but mostly how so many brides are ditching the traditional veil and are opting for bird cage veils, fascinators and other unique takes on bridal head-wear.

Some of my favourite creations are from the Melbourne design duo, J'ATON couture. Designers Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pitturino are known for their luxurious designs which push the traditional boundaries.

Each creation is unique with intricate beading, precious jewels and amazing headpieces like the ones below.

Penelope's net and beading veil matched the beading on her stunning gown.

The delicate beading on Lisa's hairpiece adds to the drama of her overall look

A veil for the ceremony-

is removed to reveal an amazing headpiece perfect for the reception.

A one-of-a-kind tulle creation makes this bride stand out

Last but not least, my favourite, with netting and a tulle veil floating romantically behind.